Sol 5.6

  1. How could they compare the beloved’s stature to a bough?

    From that one fruit is plucked; this one preys upon mankind.

  2. How could they liken his glances to a sword

    when, with an eyelid, they cleave the sword’s own edge?

  3. How lovely: fragrant dark lips and front teeth,

    languid eyes, sweet even in cruelty.

  4. Whenever his swaying form stirred up a breeze,

    the fingertips of yearning struck against my teeth.

  5. Ah, my abasement! If only it were for something besides love, so

    the vizier’s bounty might have relieved me of it—

  6. the most far-reaching of all mankind in might and generosity,

    whether destroying foes or enriching others;

  7. he whose two palms—one journeys by night to a left hand

    whose benefit is hoped for, and a right hand that leads to good fortune.

  8. Each day he embodies some new excellence,

    trailing its hem over a thousand other excellences;

  9. and he lavishes pure gold upon petitioners

    in an age that would not give even straw.

  10. If we seek guidance, there are the rays of a sun;

    or if we seek bounty, the rainbursts of laden clouds.

  11. The edifices of his grandeur made his renown eloquent,

    and we marveled: the inflector of speech stood built—indeclinable.

  12. He directed toward the heights resolves that rose

    beyond all that the eloquent can elaborate or praise,

  13. and guarded the kingdom when, in its defense, he unsheathed

    a mettle that turns mountains into tufts of wool.

  14. Thus his enemies dwell in the very heart of Hell,

    and his loyal friends in the Gardens of Eden.

  15. O vizier, to your sanctuary we fled,

    and from calamities found refuge in a fortress.

  16. He bestowed upon us a wealth of gifts by the measure,

    and we brought him praise in measured verse.

  17. How lovely, a robe of honor white as your honor—

    through it all cowardice among the foes turned pale—

  18. over a green robe, fresh as gardens;

    noble qualities endowed with beauty adorned it.

  19. Oh, what noble qualities they are, proclaiming:

    “Beneath the green vault, none is nobler than I!”

  20. May the stars of fortune never leave your door,

    for we have found it the utmost reach of desire.

Sol 5.6